Teachers of public universities have called on the federal government to increase the higher education budget by 300 percent in the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27, warning that universities could face a deeper financial crisis without urgent intervention.
The All Public Universities Teachers Association (APUBTA) expressed serious concern over the deteriorating financial condition of public-sector universities across the country. The association said many institutions are struggling to meet basic expenses, including the payment of salaries and pensions, due to inadequate funding.
According to APUBTA, higher education has not received an effective budget increase since 2018 despite rising operational costs and growing academic requirements. As a result, universities are facing mounting financial pressure that is affecting their ability to function efficiently.
The teachers’ body urged the government to address the issue in the upcoming budget and allocate sufficient resources to support higher education institutions. It argued that continued underfunding could further weaken the sector and create long-term challenges for students and faculty members.
APUBTA stated that inflation and increasing expenditures have made existing budget allocations inadequate for meeting universities’ needs. Consequently, the shortage of funds has begun to impact the quality of education and research activities.
The association highlighted that universities in Islamabad are among the hardest hit by the financial crisis. Faculty members specifically called for special financial assistance for Quaid-e-Azam University, International Islamic University and Urdu University to help them meet operational expenses and continue academic programs without disruption.
Teachers also warned that insufficient funding has severely affected teaching and research, which are essential components of higher education. They said prolonged neglect of the sector could undermine academic standards and limit opportunities for future generations.
Furthermore, APUBTA urged federal and provincial governments to work together to resolve the financial difficulties facing universities. The association stressed that coordinated and immediate action is necessary to stabilize institutions, protect academic excellence and prevent the crisis from worsening in the months ahead.
